Wagon box



INov l, 1949. c. F. BAUER ET AL WAGON BOX Filed May 28, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 FIG. 2 4f /4l l 2M 52 6 I 4| l g h 9\\. 65 l l M7790 Tm L. l) l2l I3 22 4 w Zlj Ig E6 CARL F BAUER l INVETORS BY NGELIN, CLIFFRD I .sobTr ATToR Ys Patented Nov. 1, 1949 WAGON BOX Carl F. Bauer and Donald A. Wangelin, Rock Island, and Clifford L. Scott, Moline, Ill., assignors. to Deere & Company, Moline, Ill., a

corporation of Illinois Application May 28, 1945Serial No. 596,163

6 Claims. l The present invention relates generally to farm equipment, and more particularly to farm wagons, trailers and the like.

The object and general nature of the present ,invention is the provision of a new and improved sheet metal wagon box so constructed and arranged as to be strong and sturdy, yet light in weight and inexpensive to manufacture and convenient to assemble. More particularly, it is a feature of this invention to provide a metal wagon box which is grain tight and in which the bottom is suitably constructed and reenforced so as to carry heavy loads without bending or sagging. Another important feature of the present invention is the provision of new and improved side members for the wagon box and new and improved means for fastening the sides to the bottom.

These and other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description', taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which one preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown by way of illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wagon box in which the principles of the vpresent invention have been incorporated, the Wagon box being shown in an inverted position for purposes of convenience of illustration.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken generally along the line 2-'2 of Figure 1,

showing the construction and reenforcing of the bottom and side connections.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view, somewhat similar to Figure 1, showing one of the front reenforcing members.

Figure 4 is a fragmentaryside View, made on a larger scale, showing the manner of securing the one of the `one of the principal uses of the wagon box of this type is to haul grain or the like. It is to be `understood, however, that the present invention is not necessarily limited to a wagon box of the grain tank type.

The bottom member I of the grain box is of particular construction and, as will be described below in detail, is very strong and rigid sov that there is no tendency for the bottom to deflect or sag over the front and rear bolsters under full loads. As best shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bottom i is made up of a flat bottom sheet 'I' having upturned marginal edges 8 and 9 along opposite sides. Running longitudinally of the sheet 'I and the entire length thereof is a plurality of reenforcing channel members I2, each having side ilanges I3 which lie against the underside of the bottom sheet 7. These flanges I3 are spot welded, or otherwise securely fixed to the bottom sheet l. The laterally outer channel has its laterally outer flange. disposed substantially ilush with the adjacent upturned marginal section 8 or 9, and the channels I2 are so constructed and dimensioned that the lines of spot welds, indicated at a, b, c, etc., are equally spaced across the bottom member. That is, the line of welds a is spaced a certain distance from the 'welds securing the laterally outer ilange I3 of the laterally outer channel member I2 to the edge of the bottom sheet, and this distance is the same as the distance between all other lines of welds, as, for example, 1 -b, b-c, etc. A plurality of reenforcing straps I5 is laid across the several channels I2, each strap being spot welded at one or more points to the webs of all of the channel members which it crosses. For example, referring to Figure 3, each strap I5 may be spot welded, as at K and L, to the web portion of veach associated longitudinal channel I2. As will be clear from Figure 1, in the form of `wagon box illustrated there are ve transverse reenforcing straps I5, three intermediate straps and front and rear end straps, each being fastened to the webs of the channels they cross, and the channels I2 are spot welded at a multiplicity of points along their flanges to the bottom sheet l.

A pair of extensions or cleats 2I and 22 is fixed to the bottom member I in line with each reenforcing strap member I5. As best shown in Figure 5, each lof these cleats or extensions is formed of sheet metal, somewhat in the shape of an inverted pan, having sides or margins 24, 25 and 26, and a central or web section 2l which is apertured, as at 28. The side sections 25 and 26 are extended, as at 3l and 32 (Figure 5), these extending portions being shapedto fit against the laterally outer edge or side of the laterally outer channel member I2 associated therewith, the extensions 3l and 32 being offset downwardly as at 33, corresponding t'o the thickness of the laterally outer flange I3. These extensions SI and 32 of each of the cleat members 2I and 22 are welded to the laterally outer side of the associated channel member, and by virtue of the offsets 33 just mentioned, the main planar portion 21y of each cleat is disposed in the plane of all of the channel flanges I3, just underlying the plane of the main portion of the bottom sheet 1. This welding is indicated by the reference character w in Figure e. Thus, as best shown in Figure 2,l each pair of cleats 2| and 22, together with the associated main porti'on strap I5 and the adjacent portions of the bottom sheet 1 and channels I2, form what might be considered a strong rigid truss-like section which is especially rigid against down-- ward deflection. As mentioned above, the lateral distances between the several lines of welds a, b, c, etc. is constant, and this provides for uniform stressing' ofk the various portions of the bottom member. under load.

Referring again to Figure 1, each of the side members 2. and 3 comprisesgenerallya corrugated side sheet 4I and a plurality of vertical reenforc- ,ingI supporting members 42* and 43. The two forward supporting members 42 are somewhat smaller than the three rearward supporting members, due to the fact that ordinarily the friont endgate is never removedY and hence the forward side supports are not ordinarily called upon to support or carry as much load laterally outwardly as the rearward side supports. Each side sheet provided with a plurality of longitudinal corrugations 46, for the purpose of strengthening and' reenforcing the same, and each side sheet is bent at, 41j and. 43 so as to provide the necessary shape to formk a flaring wagon box. The uppermost edge, or margin of eachv side sheet 4I is provided with, aY flanged. section 49 that is bent outwardly'- and then downwardly (upwardly in Figure i), enclosing the upper ends, of theside reenfforcing supports 42 and 43. This construction also reenforces the upper edge of the Wagon box sides.

Eachv of the reenolcrlgv sideA supports 43. is

, formed generally as a channel members shaped to conform to. the flaringA conguratio-n of the wagon box and materially deeper at its lower end than at` its upper end. Each side support 43 includes, a laterally outer web4 portion. 5I, av pair of, side sections52 andJ 53, and attaching flanges 5,4; and 55'. The side flanges 54 and 55 are spot welded. or otherwise secured. tothe side sheet 4I, and the. lower portions, of the two side sections 52 and 53 particularly the flanges. 54 and 55' t'lfiereoi,` are offset, as at 5.1 so as to accommodate the disposition of. the adjacent bottom. sheet margin,y 8. or 9., which liesA laterally outwardly of theL lower edge of the bottom sheet 4l, asbest shown in Figure 2. The lower edge i each sidesecton 52;,and', 53. of each side support 43 is provided with a laterally. inwardly directed extension 6I. As best, shown, in. Figure 4, the edges'of these extensions, (it do notmeet b ut, instead, provide a, space between which. a pair of bolts 62` may extend.

The cleat member, 2l., or. 22, associated with each side support 43 isl provided with.v two openings 28, as mentioned above, whichY received` theA twov attaching bolts B2. To facilitate assembly, 'i

the twobolts- 62 are extended throughy openings inA an attaching plateitoiwhich the heads ofthe two boltsV 62 are secured, as. by welding. r.Che plate 65 isitself welded` to theinwardly. directed, extensions 6I so that, in effect, the two bolts 32 form downwardly extending studs which serve as integral parts of the associated side support member 43. Nuts 66, with suitable lock washers or the like, if necessary, are disposed on the lower ends of the bolts or studs 62 and when tightened serve to rigidly connect the associated side support member 43f to the associatedv cleat, thereby rmly securing the associated side member 2 to the adjacent portion of the bottom member I.

The front side supports 42 are substantially identical with the side supports 43 except that they are not quite so deep at their lower ends. Therefore, the associated cleat construction and the attachingv bolts, while otherwise the same as described. above in connection with the attaching means for the side supports, are somewhat simplified.v As. best, shown in Figure 3, the laterally inturned edges 1I of each side support member 42r receives a plate 12 in which a single bolt 13 is disposed,l being welded thereto. The plate 12 is welded tothe edges TI. The cleat 14 is like the cleat shown: in Figure 5 except that only one hole 15 is provided. The cleat 1'4- is welded toy the adj acent side of the laterallyouter channel member- I2 in substantially the same manner as described above in connection with the cleats ZI and 22. f

When attaching theside members 2 and 3 to the bottom number I`, the only connections that arev required to be madeA are the bolts or studs 6I and'52, together with thefront studs or bolts 13. As will be clear from the above description, it is a relatively simple matter to bolt the lower ends of the reenforcing side supports l2A and 43 tothe associated bottom member cleats 2-I,4 22 and 1'4, the marginal flanges 8 and 9 on the bottom sheet fitting snugly in the spaces provided by the offsets 51. The front side support is provided with a similar offset 11' (Figure 3') In this way, it is not necessary to bolt the flanges 8 andv 9 to the lower edges of the sidesheets 4I, yet since the bottom member is exceptionally rigid and nonsagg-ing, the- Wagon boxremains grain tight at al1 times. Asbestshownin Figure 1, clips 8|, preferably in the form of sections of a channel, are welded to the web portions or the longitudinal channel members t2y so. as. toa provide means for receiving the rearbolster'of the running gear on which the boxv is mounted; thefparti'zzularv form of the channele clips;8;lserving to prevent longitudinal displacement of the;` wagon box. At the front; endz or the latter, wear plates 82A may be weldeditot-he lowersides of the reenforcing bottom channels, I2-. rIhefrfear'endof thebottom sheet 1 is extended downwardly., as; at ('Figurel) and then. forwardly as. at. 86,` snugly embracing the rear ends. of thebottom channels I2. This also provides a reinforced rear edge forV the` wagon box bottom; anda smooth. upper surface to receive the-lower edge ofthe-rear-endgate- 4. Eachof the side sheets 4I is-.formed-.with a bead: or-iiange81 that isturned forwardly to, provide a reen-forcing, the forward edge of the forwardlyl turned bead B1 substantiallyl contacting the rear flange 54 of the rear supportmember 43. T helendgate 4 is of particular construction: and formsthesubject matter of a separate -application.

While wehal/.e shown and describedabove-the preferred. structure l in which` the principles of the present invention havebeen-incorporated, it is to bev understood. that our invention is not to be limited.y to the particular details shown and described above, but/that. in. fact, widely different means` may. be employed: in. the practice of the broader aspects of our invention.

What we claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A sheet metal wagon box comprising a bottom sheet having upturned marginal flanges at opposite sides, reenforcing channels extending longitudinally of and secured to the lower side of said bottom sheet, the laterally outer channel member at each side of the bottom sheet being disposed along the marginal portion of the bottom sheet at that side thereof, side sheets having their lower edges disposed against said flanges on the inside thereof, cleats xed to the sides of the laterally outer reenforcing channel members and extending laterally outwardly beyond the upturned anges of the bottom sheet, and means on said side sheets adapted to be connected with said cleats for fixing said side sheets to said bottom sheet with the flanges of the latter lying on the outer sides of the lower edges of said sheets.

2. A wagon box comprising a bottom member, a pair of side members, cleats extending laterally outwardly from said bottom member at opposite sides, side supports fixed, respectively, to the outer sides of said members, each side support comprising a channel member having an outer wall, side walls and laterally extended flanges at the inner portions of said side walls, each of said side supports being formed at its lower end section with generally horizontal laterally inwardly extending flanges forming extensions of the side Walls of the side support, and means engaging said laterally inwardly extended flanges for securing said side supports to the associated cleats.

3. A wagon box comprising a bottom member, side members adapted to be connected to said bottom member, the latter having a plurality of generally longitudinally extending reenforcing channels having flanges and means connecting the anges of said reenforcing channels to the bottom side of said bottom member, the laterally outer channels being connected to the bottom member closely adjacent the sides thereof, laterally outwardly projecting cleats connected to the outer sides of the outer reenforcing bottom channels, the cleats at one side of said bottom member being respectively opposite the corresponding cleats at the other side, a plurality of reenforcing strips extending transversely of said reenforcing channels and secured to the latter in such positions as to connect opposite cleats, and a plurality of reenforcing side supports xed to said side members on the outer sides thereof and detachably connected, respectively, with said cleats.

4. In a wagon box having a bottom with an extension having a vertical opening and disposed outwardly of the bottom at one side thereof, the improvement which comprises a side support comprising a channel member having laterally inturned flanges at its lower end, a plate xed to said anges on the inside of said channel member at the lower end thereof, and a stud xed to said plate and extendingdownwardly below the lower end of said channel member and through the opening in said extension for attachment thereto.

5. In a wagon box or the like, a bottom member comprising a bottom sheet having upturned flanges at its opposite sides, a plurality of channel members fixed to the underside of said bottom sheet to form reenforcng members therefor, one or more straps fixed to the intermediate portions of said channel members and extending transversely of said bottom sheet so as to form with said channel members aA reenforcing truss-like structure, and a plurality of cleats, each including a part having downwardly extending margi- 6. In a wagon box or the like, a bottom member comprising a bottom sheet having upturned flanges at its opposite sides, a plurality of channel members xed to the underside of said bottom sheet to form reenforcing members therefor, one or more straps xed to the intermediate portions of said channel members and extending transversely of said bottom sheet so as to form with said channel members a reenforcing truss-like structure, and a plurality of cleats, each including a part having downwardly extending marginal flanges on opposite sides thereof, the two opposite flanges extending laterally inwardly relative to the bottom member and formed tot against the laterally outermost portions of the laterally outer channel members the latter being secured to said bottom sheet with the edge of the laterally outer flange disposed adjacent the plane of the associated upturned flange on the bottom sheet, the inner portions of said cleat flanges being connected to said outermost portions of the laterally outer channel members substantially at the juncture therewith of the associated straps, said cleats being fastened to said laterally outermost channel members substantially in transverse alignment with said straps.

CARL F. BAUER.

DONALD A. WANGELIN.

CLIFFORD L. SCOTT.l

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 697,949 Schofield Apr. 15, 1902 1,139,456 Ledwinka May 11, 1915 1,207,842 Bergren Dec. 12, 1916 1,228,138 Rogers May 29, 1917 1,388,896 Sage Aug. 30, 1921 1,556,757 Christianson et al. Oct. 13, 1925 1,675,317 Burke July 3, 1928 2,211,618 Gilpin Aug. 13, 1940 2,257,365 Barrett Sept. 30, 1941 2,275,349 Collender Mar. 3, 1942 2,380,861 Meyer et al. July 31, 1945 

